Robert F. Kennedy Jr. suffers from rare disorder: What is Spasmodic Dysphonia and how does it affect him?

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently made headlines by announcing his withdrawal from the 2024 presidential race and shifting his support to Donald Trump. In his recent speech in Tempe, Arizona, he confirmed that he was ending his bid for the Democratic presidential nomination after careful consideration. According to AP News, Kennedy explained that his internal polls showed his presence in the race could benefit Kamala Harris.

This comes after Trump’s former press secretary endorsed Kamala Harris last week at the DNC, and former President Barack Obama compared Trump supporters to ‘cringe-worthy grandparents.’

The shift in Kennedy’s political stance was unexpected, especially given his long-standing position as a Democrat and his family's deep roots in the Democratic Party.

Since the beginning of the elections, RFK Junior has been in the spotlight for several reasons—his bizarre anecdotes and confessions, but also his ongoing struggle with a rare neurological disorder, Spasmodic Dysphonia, which has significantly affected his voice over the years.

RFK Jr: What is wrong with his voice?

If you have been wondering what is wrong with RFK Jr.’s voice, the cause of his distress has been revealed. Kennedy suffers from Spasmodic Dysphonia—a rare neurological condition in which an abnormality in the brain's neural network affects the vocal cords.

This condition has made Kennedy go from loving his voice to feeling ‘sorry’ for anyone who has to listen to him, reports the LA Times. In a phone interview with the Times, he said:

I feel sorry for the people who have to listen to me.

This isn’t the first time Kennedy has discussed his condition. The 70-year-old revealed that his voice began to deteriorate in his early 40s when he was diagnosed with Spasmodic Dysphonia.

Kennedy has described his voice as sounding ‘terrible,’ but he reassures that it doesn’t physically tire him out. Instead, the more he uses his voice, the stronger it tends to become, despite the strained and choked sound. He explained:

My voice doesn’t really get tired. It just sounds terrible. But the injury is neurological, so actually the more I use the voice the stronger it tends to get.

Adding:

If I could sound better, I would.

What is Spasmodic Dysphonia? Understanding the condition that affects RFK Jr.

Spasmodic dysphonia (SD) is a rare neurological condition that affects approximately 50,000 people in North America, though this number may be higher due to undiagnosed cases. It is caused by abnormal functioning in the brain's neural networks, particularly affecting the muscles of the voice box or larynx. According to Hopkins Medicine’s website, SD causes the voice to break or sound like it’s tight, strained, or strangled.

From trouble with just saying a word to fully not being able to talk, SD, also known as laryngeal dystonia, is a lifelong condition that has no cure. Treatments like Botox injections and speech therapy can provide temporary relief. Botox works by weakening the muscles in the vocal cords, preventing the spasms that cause voice distortion. However, the effects are temporary, and regular treatments are necessary to maintain vocal function.

Kennedy received Botox injections every 3-4 months for about 10 years. However, he noted that finding the right dosage remains challenging. He even went to Japan in May 2022 to look for a surgical solution that would implant a titanium bridge between his vocal cords to keep them from pressing together.

Researchers have found no evident cause(s) for SD, but speculations suggest it could be a genetic predisposition that might get triggered by major emotional or physical trauma.

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Sources Used

AP News: RFK Jr. suspends his presidential bid and backs Donald Trump before appearing with him at his rally

LA Times: RFK Jr. speaks candidly about his gravelly voice: ‘If I could sound better, I would’

Hopkins Medicine: Spasmodic Dysphonia